Racing
Blinkers go on Hidrix for final Slipper lead-up
Can Hidrix reassert his Golden Slipper claims in the Todman Stakes?
Deposed Golden Slipper favourite Hidrix will have two significant changes for his Todman Stakes assignment at Randwick – the addition of blinkers and the services of champion jockey James Mcdonald.
McDonald partnered stablemate Confederation in both the Canonbury Stakes (1100m), won by Hidrix, and the Silver Slipper (1100m), but despite the presence of that horse on Saturday, he will test the credentials of Hidrix under race conditions for the first time.
"There's not too much to read into it in terms of James," trainer Chris Waller's assistant, Charlie Duckworth said.
"He has ridden Confederation twice and knows the horse well. We want to afford James the best opportunity to ride our best opportunity in the Slipper, so it's probably important he rides Hidrix.
"He galloped him on Tuesday with the blinkers on and he worked really well.
"The horse is good, jockey is good, just the draw is the negative."
Hidrix has barrier nine in the field of 11, while Confederation, who has been scratched from the Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on Sunday, has drawn immediately to his outside.
For Hidrix, the Todman Stakes (1200m) is not a 'must win' race as he is safely in the Golden Slipper field, and Duckworth says that has given them the luxury to make the gear change this week.
"They're just to help sharpen him up a little bit," he said of the blinkers.
"Slippers aren't easy to win, and we want him to have that killer punch. Ultimately, we'd rather have it work out now than working it out in the grand final."
McDonald will partner Chayan for Annabel and Rob Archibald in the Reisling Stakes (1200m), the filly returning from a two-start Melbourne campaign in which she finished runner-up in the Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude (1100m) and seventh from a wide gate in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
"She just couldn't draw a barrier at either start," Annabel Archibald said.
"First start, she was very good, but she was just no hope with the run she had in the Diamond.
"With two-year-olds, it's always one run at a time and that was a pretty tough run she had . . . but she seems to have come through it pretty well."
Chayan also has a tricky draw in nine, but her presence will provide another good test of the Melbourne two-year-old form after the Pakenham-trained Stretan Ruler demolished his rivals to win the Silver Slipper two weeks ago.
Stretan Ruler will also complete his Golden Slipper build-up in the Todman Stakes and is on the second line of betting, behind Wyong Magic Millions winner Paradoxium.
Check out the latest Singapore News